Injured Bolt to prove fitness in London ahead of Rio 2016

Double Olympic gold medalist Usain Bolt will use the London Anniversary Games later this month to prove his fitness ahead of the Olympics in Rio.

The two-time 100-meter and 200-meter Olympic champion suffered a grade one hamstring tear at Jamaica’s Olympics trials on Friday, and was forced to withdraw from the final of the men’s 100 meter, which was eventually won by Yohan Blake in 9.95 seconds.

Writing on his Facebook page, Bolt said: “After feeling discomfort in my hamstring after the first round last night (Thursday) and then again in the semi-final tonight (Friday) I was examined by the Chief Doctor of the National Championships and diagnosed with a Grade 1 tear.

“I have submitted a medical exemption to be excused from the 100m final and the remainder of the National Championships.

“I will seek treatment immediately and hope to show fitness at the London Anniversary Games on July 22 to earn selection for the Olympic Games in Rio.”

Bolt has already added more photos to his Facebook page to show that he has started the recovery process.

Unlike the qualification process for other countries, his withdrawal from the Jamaican Olympic trials does not mean he will miss the Rio Olympics, where he is expected to defend both of his titles.

For example, in the USA, the first three finishers in the trials win Olympic berths, but Jamaica’s selection policy allows medical exemptions.

The Rio Olympics open on August 5, with the first heats for the 100 meter taking place on August 13.